1. IronQR
  2. How-Tos
  3. Read QR code from Image

How to Read QR Code from Images

Reading a QR code refers to the process of scanning and decoding the information stored within a QR code. This is typically done using a camera or scanner paired with software that can interpret the QR code's data. The information in a QR code could be text, URLs, contact details, or other forms of data.

How to Read QR Code from Images

  1. Download the C# library to read QR codes from images
  2. Import the image data using IronDrawing
  3. Create a QrImageInput object from the image data
  4. Pass the object to the Read method
  5. Iterate through each detected QR code and review its information

Start using IronQR in your project today with a free trial.

First Step:
green arrow pointer

Read QR Codes from Images

One of IronQR's standout features is its built-in capability to read QR codes from various image formats seamlessly. This includes:

* Joint Photographic Experts Group (JPEG)
* Portable Network Graphics (PNG)
* Graphics Interchange Format (GIF)
* Tagged Image File Format (TIFF)
* Bitmap Image File (BMP)
* WBMP
* WebP
* Icon (ico)
* WMF
* RawFormat (raw)

This functionality is enabled by the open-source library, IronDrawing. Let's now explore how IronQR can be used to read QR code from the image below.

QR code
:path=/static-assets/qr/content-code-examples/how-to/read-qr-code-image.cs
using IronQr;
using IronSoftware.Drawing;
using System.Collections.Generic;
using System;

// Open the asset to read a QR Code from
var inputBmp = AnyBitmap.FromFile("IMAGE_TO_READ.png");

// Load the asset into QrImageInput
QrImageInput imageInput = new QrImageInput(inputBmp);

// Create a QR Reader object
QrReader reader = new QrReader();

// Read the Input an get all embedded QR Codes
IEnumerable<QrResult> results = reader.Read(imageInput);

foreach(var result in results)
{
    Console.WriteLine(result.Value);
}
Imports IronQr
Imports IronSoftware.Drawing
Imports System.Collections.Generic
Imports System

' Open the asset to read a QR Code from
Private inputBmp = AnyBitmap.FromFile("IMAGE_TO_READ.png")

' Load the asset into QrImageInput
Private imageInput As New QrImageInput(inputBmp)

' Create a QR Reader object
Private reader As New QrReader()

' Read the Input an get all embedded QR Codes
Private results As IEnumerable(Of QrResult) = reader.Read(imageInput)

For Each result In results
	Console.WriteLine(result.Value)
Next result
VB   C#

Curious about the QR code value in the sample images? Give it a try using the code snippet!

Supported QR Code Types

Multiple types of QR codes are supported for both creation and reading. Below are the supported QR code types:

  • QRCode: This is the standard QR code most commonly used today. It can store a significant amount of data (up to 7,089 numeric characters or 4,296 alphanumeric characters), making it suitable for a wide range of applications, from website URLs to contact information.
QR code
  • MicroQRCode: The Micro QR Code is a smaller version of the standard QR code, designed for situations where space is limited. It can store less data than a standard QR code (up to 35 numeric characters or 21 alphanumeric characters), but its compact size makes it ideal for applications where a standard QR code would be too large, such as on small packaging or tiny printed labels.
QR code
  • RMQRCode: RMQR Code (Rectangular Micro QR Code) is another compact version of the QR code but in a rectangular shape rather than a square. This version allows for flexibility in its aspect ratio, which can be useful for applications where a rectangular space is available. It can store data similar to the Micro QR Code but is designed for specific use cases where the available space is non-square.
QR code